Multileaved vehicle spring



Sept. 26, 1944. H. T. DOW

MULTILEAVED VEHICLE SPRING Filed April 10, 1942 INVLb ITOR. flare/0 720W Patented Sept. 26, 1944 7 MULTILEAVIEDIVEHIOLEI SPRI G Harold T. Dow, Elma,'N. Y., assignor to Spring Perch Company, Inc., a corporation-of New York Application April 10 1942," Serial No. 438,493

20 Claims. (01. 257-47)" 1 This invention relatesto multi-leaved vehicle springs of either the full or-semi-elliptictype and the object of the invention is to provide a new and improved spring structure providing a solid sup-: port for the shackle bolt bushing about which the eye of the first leaf of the series is mounted and which leaf is of segmental form permitting side and endwise play of the said eyed leaf compensating for misalignment of the shackle bolt in respect to its normal right angled relationship with the leaf, and a second leaf of the series having an eye in which the eyeof the first of the series is positioned and a third leaf of the series having an eye-like portion tapering in thickness toward its outer end thus providing a resilient support for the other of said eyes of the first and second leaves, the whole: providing a structure less liable to-distortion or breakage of the several parts under severe strain than is the case in present spring structure of similar type. l .These and other objects and features of the invention v are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in preferred form in the accompanying drawing in which 1 is a plan view of the spring showing the normal relationship of the parts. 1 Fig. 2 is'a similar view showing the parts under one character of displacement produced by lateral strain.

- Fig. 3 is a side elevation indicating another characterof displacement'of part produced by,

longitudinal strain. V

. Fig, 4 is an enlarged end elevation of the eyed end of the leaves shown in side elevation in Fig. v3. Also in the usual multi-leaved spring structures the first and shorter leaf of the series is subjected to strain on deflection of the spring tending to. buckle the same and oftentimes resulting in break-: age thus requiring the removal of th whole spring structure which can only be done at a properly equipped repair'shop. One of the purposes of making the first leaf of my improved spring struc-.

ture with a short end section movable in respect to its body section is to reduce the tendency to breakage to a minimum and, in the event of breakage, a broken end section can be readily replaced Without necessity of removal of the vehicle to a repair shop. Further, due to ,the eye of the first leaf being a loose fit in the eye of the second leaf, the

possibility of the slidable section being fractured is reduced to aminimum. a l

These and other objects and features of the invention are attained by the structure herein shown and described as will be understood from the following.

The vehicle spring indicated, generally at I in Fig, 1 consists of a greater or les number of leaves herein indicated as 2, 3, 4, 6, 1, 8 by way of illustration. The first or longer leaf 2 is formed.

of a, main body portion 2 and a terminal portion 2b. The series of leaves are secured'in assembled relationship a by bolts 9 and the usualspring clip I!) i provided ata distance from the fixed point of support as is the usual practice.

The part 2a of the leaf 2 has aftermin'al portion I I offset in respect tothe plane of the body portion a distanc approximately equalto the thickness of the body of the leaf and has a terminal portion l2 which extends into a slot l3 in the terminal section 21). This terminal section has its end 2c shapedto form a circular eye in which the bushing 13a ofthe shackle bolt 14 i positioned. This circulareye 2c is of .the same thickness as the body 21) and providesa solid support for :the bushing 1| 3a -which fits comparatively tightly in the eye 20, The second leaf f the series also has its end shaped to provid an eye 212 to receive the. eye '20 of-the section 2b of the first leaf andin which theey 2c loosely fits. The leaf 4 of the series is of. uniform thickness throughout its length corresponding in thickness to 'that of the other "leaves and terminates in af half circular portion 4a tapering in thickness thus providing a flexible end portion which preferably extends about three-quartersof the circumference of the eyed end 2d of thesection 2b and is in practically close contact with the eyed end Zdl This tapered half-circular portion 4a of the leaf 4 thus provides a yieldable spring-like support for the eye 20 of the movable section 217 of the leaf 2; The terminal section 21) of the first leaf 2 is-Ofgreater Width at the eyed endthan at the end having the slot I3. Thus the eyes 2d and 4a of having the eyesZd and 4a to move laterally in.

respect to the end section 26v as will be understood from Figs. 1 and 2 and, asthe eye 2c'loosely fits in the eye 2d the shackle bolt islrelieved to a limited extent from a twisting strain caused by side sway of the chassis frame relative to the running gear. The arrangement ;-thus tends to prevent breaking or binding of the shackle bolt and allows the spring to flex readily under all ordinary conditions of use.

In Fig. 3 the leaves are indicated in the flexed position by the dotted lines which show the relationship of the parts under sudden deflection of the spring. Normally the shackle bolt is at the center a: and, under flexing of the spring by sudden deflection, this center 1: moves outwardly to a center indicated at 1/ which results in an end movement. The end section 2b of the leaf 2 is permitted to move outwardly under restraint of the tapered end portion 4a of the leaf '4 which acts after the manner of a spring support. The eyed portion 20 of the spring section 2b is a little less in diameter than the eyed portion 2d of the leaf 3. This permits the leaves 3 and 4 and the eyes 2d and 4a to assume a relative angular position under side sway of the vehicle body or in the event the shackle bolt l4 does not lie at the exact right angle to the longitudinal center line of the assembled leaves. The spring portion 4a of I the leaf 4 provides a yieldable resistance to movement of the end section 26 of the leaf 2 from the center a: to the center 1/ on downward deflection of the spring leaves as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

It is pointed out that Fig. 3 shows in full lines the normal position and relationship of parts while the dotted lines show the relative position of parts under road shock in whichthe terminal portion of the leaves connected with the shackle bolt tend to straighten out to the dotted line position.

It is further to be observed that the slot l3 in the inner end of the section 21) of the leaf 2 is somewhat larger than terminal .portion l2 extending thereinto as will be understood clearly from Fig. 1 and thus this end section 21) may, under side sway of the body, lie at an angle to the end of the remaining leaves. Further, as the eye 20 is of greater length transversely of the section 2b and is of less external diameter than the internal diameter of the eye 2d, such angular relationship of the section 212 is permitted and the eyes 2d and 4a are unconfined in their action in the flexing of the spring under normal conditions. I

The arrangement of parts, as hereinbefore described eliminates concentration of stress due to seizure at the sides of the eye or in the shackle bolt and further, the normal stresses to which the spring is subjected is broken up due to the springsupport of theeyed leaf having the longitudinally movable end section 211 due to the fact that the inner end of the section 2b is spring sup,- ported by the terminal portion ll of the body portion 2a.

The end section of the first eyed leaf of the usual single piece tends to buckle or break at or about the point where the clip Ila is positioned and this tendency to fracture in my improved spring structure is prevented by spring supporting the inner end of the movable section 2b. A safety factor is also secured due to the parts being retained in position in the event of breakage of any leaf and the load carrying leaf 4 is free from seizure from any cause at all times and the parts are so keyed together that they continue to func-' tion should breakage occur,

My improved spring structure therefore differs from previous leaf springs of the type herein disclosed in that the first leaf of the series is a composite leaf having a longitudinally movable and laterally displaceable end section and the.

second leaf 3 of the series is the load supporting leaf and the eye of the leaf 3 is spring sustained by the tapered terminal portion 4a of the leaf 4.

It is believed evident from the foregoing description that the various features and objects of the invention are attained by the structural relationship of parts as hereinbefore described, it being understood that the several leaves are in fixed relationship at a distance from their ends by the bolt 9 or an equivalent construction and are provided with the usual clip ID at a distance from the fixed point and the clip I la is provided particularly to support the hook end I2 in the aperture l3 of the segmental portion 2b.

The clip I la thus prevents lateral displacement of the two portions 2a and 2b of the leaf 2. It is further pointed out that various changes may be made in the form and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, its utility and mode of operation, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A vehicle spring of the elliptic type comprising a series of spring leaves-secured together at a point distant from their ends, at least three of the longer leaves having eyed portions in concentric relation, the first of said longer leaves having an end portion slidably associated with the body portion thereof, a clip secured to the having an eye to receive the shackle bolt and sleeve, the second leaf having a similar eye slightly greater in internal diameter than the external diameter of the eye of the first leaf permitting lateral displacement of the said end section of. the

first leaf in its plane, and the third leaf of the series having an eye portion of decreasing thickness providing a spring like support for the eyes. of the first two leaves.

.2. A vehicle spring of therellipticltype comprising a series of flat spring metal leaves secured together at a point distant from their ends, at least three of the longer leaves having eyed portions in concentric relation, the first of said longer leaves being; formed of two parts providing a short end section and a body section, said end section of the first leaf having an opening adjacent its inner end and they body portion of said first leaf having a hook like end. positionable in the opening and engaging the; surface of the second leaf of the seriesproviding an arrange ment permitting the said end, section to move relative to the saidbody section, the second leaf having an eyed portion of an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the of the said leaf, and a, clip about the series of leaves supporting the adjacent ends of the two sections of the first leaf from displacementv at a right angle-to the plane thereofr 3. A semi-elliptical leaf springcomprising a series of flat. spring leaves fixed together in surface contact at a distance, from the. ends thereof, the first leaf ofthe series being formed of a main body section and, an endsection movable longitudinally relative, to the main body section, means supporting the said end section from material displacement at a right angle to itssurface and permitting angular, displacement of the end; section relativeto the bodysection, the outer end of said end sectionhaving aneyeto receive the bushing of a shackle bolt, the said eye and 'bushing being in close surface contact, the second leaf of the series having an eye end to receivetheeye of the first leaf, the eye of the-first leafbeing less in diameter than the eye of the second leaf in whichrit. is. positioned, and the thirdleaf of the series terminating in [anend portiondecreasing in thickness toward its end in which the eyed portion of; the second leaf is seated; r

gsemi elliptic leaf spring comprising a series of leaves secured together in surface cone tact at a distance from one end thereof, the, first leaf of the series being formed ofa main body section and an end section, meansfor securing the said sections together ina manner to prevent relative displacement at an angle to the surface thereof and permitting angular displacement in; the plane thereof, the end section of the first leaf. having an eyed portion to receive a shackle boltv bushing, and the second leaf of the series having an eyed portion to receive the eyed portion of the first leaf and permitting a limited angular displacement of the said eyed portions, the third leaf of the series having an end portion in surface contact with the eyed portion of the second leaf substantially as and for the purpose de-' scribed. g

5.- .A'leaf spring of the elliptic type comprising a series of flat spring metal leaves secured to; gjether in surface contact at a distance from th ef. endsthereof, the first leaf of the series being.

formed of a main body section and anend section,

the end section being movable relative to the body.

section, a clip engaging the leaves and supporting. the said end section of the firstleaf from displacement in a direction at a right angle to its plane, said end section'having an eye to receive a shackle bolt, the second leaf.havinganeyeconcentric with and of slightly greater diameter] than the external diameter of the first leaf permitting a limited angular displacement of the eye.

of the first leaf therein substantially as andfor the purposede'scribed. Q

6. Ina leaf spring of elliptic type, a series of flat spring metal leaves secured together in surface contact at a distance from theends thereof, the first leaf of the series being formed of. a main body section and an end section longitudinally movable relative to the body section, the said end section. having an eye in which the bushing of a shackle bolt may be seated,.the second leaf of the series having an eye of slightly greater internal diameter than the external diameter of the first leaf and permitting angular displacement of said movable end section relative to the body section,

of the first leaf, and means pre'venting'displacement of the two portions of the first leafrelative one to the other and tothe remaining leaves, of the series in a direction at a right angleto their faces, another of the said leaves having a terminal portion acting as aspring support for the eye of the second leaf. r

'7. A leaf spring of elliptic type comprising a series of flat spring metal leaves secured in surface contact at a distance from the end thereof, the first leafof the said series being in two parts comprising a body portion and an end portion, a clip embracing the several leaves and preventing displacement of the two portions of the first leaf at a right angle to their plane, said terminal section of the first leaf having an eye adapted to tightly engage with the. bushing r a shackle bolt, said second leafterminating in an eye of the samethickness as the body andslightly greaterin'internal diameter, than the external diameter of the eye of the first leaf and permitting angular displacement of the. said end section of the first leaf, the third leaf of the series having a terminal portion ofv progressively less thickness toward, its terminal end than that of its body, the saidtapered end of the third leaf lying in contact-with the eye of the second leaf and being practically half circular in form to providethe flexible seat therefor substantially as. described.

- 8. In a, vehicle spring,,a series of flat springmetalleaves secured in surface contact at a distance from; their ends, the first leaf ofthe series being formed of two parts and supported in a manner topermit longitudinal movement of. the end. portion, the said end portion of the first leaf having an eye to receive a shackle bolt and at least two succeeding leaves having eyedportions encircling the eye of said movable end section of the first leaf, theeye of the second leaf being larger in; internal diameter than the eye of the first leaf, the remaining leaves of the series being successively less in length, the said end section of the first leaf being supported to permit longitudinal'andlateralgmovement in its plane, and

means for supporting the'said end section for displacement relative to the body section at a right angle to its-plane. I

9..In a-vehicle spring, a series of flat spring metal leaves, secured together in surface contact at Ya distance from their ends,'the first leaf of,

theserieshaving a terminal part'supported in respect to the. body thereof in a manner to permit longitudinal movement relative to the body, said end portion of the first leaf having an eye to receive a shackle bolt and secured by the. shackle from movement longitudinally of the.

. bolt, a number of the succeeding leaves having eyed portions encircling the said eye of the mov-;

able end section of the first leaf and being less in lengthtransversely of the leaves than the length'of the eye of the movable section, and providing a structureinwhich the eyes of the second and third leaves of a series are free to;

movement toa limited extent longitudinally of the shackle bolt.

-10. In a vehicle spring, a series of flat spring metal leaves secured together in surface contact at a distance-from theirv ends, the first leaf of the series having a terminal part supported in respect to the body thereof in a manner to permit longitudinal movement relative to the body,

said, end portion of the first leaf having aneye to receive ashackle bolt and secured by the shacklefrom movement longitudinally of the bolt,

a. number of the succeeding leaves having eyed portions encircling the said eye of the movable end section-of the first leaf and being lessv in.

length transversely of the leaves than the length of the eye of the movable section, the eye of the end portionof the first leaf being less in external.

having an end portion overlying the adjacent end of the terminal portion, thesecond leaf ofthe series having an eye in which the eye of the movable section of the first leaf is positioned in normally spaced relation permitting limited angug lar displacement of the eye of the end section of the first leaf, and a clip embracing'the leaves in a plane at about the terminal end of the body of the first leaf limiting the displacement of the said terminal end of said body by deflection of the leaf under stress.

12. A leaf spring comprisinga series offlat,

spring metal leaves, the first of which is a. com-- posite leaf having a longitudinally movable end section provided with an eye to receivea shackle bolt, a succeeding leaf of the series being formed of a-single piece of metal and having its terminal eye engaging about the eyeof said end section in spaced relation therewith, the eye of the first leaf being greater in length than the eye or the second leaf and permitting relative lateral displacement of the eyed end of the said movable end section of the first leaf and providing a construction in which the eye of the second leaf may move to a limited extent in respect to the eye of the first leaf. r I

13. In a vehicle spring, a series of leaves of fiat spring metal secured together in surface'contact at'a distance from their ends, the ends of at least two of the said leaves having eyes iii-"concentric relation, the inner eye being less in external diameter than the internal diameter of theouter eye and greater in length than the said outer eye to localize possible seizure at said inner eye,

the leaf having the inner eye being formed of a body section and an end section longitudinally' movable in respect thereto, the said body seetion at its end having a portion overlying the con- 1 tiguous end of the movable section and providing a spring support yieldably resisting displacement of the inner end of the movable section 'inadi rection at a right angle to its planedue to d'e'--- flection of the spring by road shock; 7

14. In a vehicle spring,- a series of leavesof flat 1 spring metal secured together in surface contact at a distance from their ends, the ends of at least two of said leaves having eyes in concentric relation, the inner eye being less in external diameter than the internal diameter of the enterleaves having an end section movabl-y supported in relation to its body and having an eye to re ceive a shackle bolt, and the leaf in surface contact therewith being of integrai formthroughout its length and having an eye of an internal di ameter greater than the external diameter of thefirst eye and less in length transversely of the body than the length of the eye of-the'fi-r'st name leaf, the arrangement permitting limited laterai movement of the vehicle spring relative to the;

shackle.

16. In a vehicle spring, a series-of leaves of flat spring metal secured together in-surfacecontact at a distance fromtheir' ends, the first of ail said leaves having two sections, the end section being niovable longitudinally and laterally of its plane and having a terminal eye to receive a shackle bolt, the leaf in surface contact therewith being of integral form throughout its lengthand having an eye greater in internal diameter than the external diameter of the eye of the first leaf" positioned therein. I

1'7. In a vehiclespring, a series'of leaves of flat spring metal secured together in surface contact at a distance from their ends, the first of said leaves having abody and anend section movable longitudinally relative to the body and laterally of its plane and having a terminal eye to receive a shacklebolt, the second of said leaves in surface contact with the first leaf being of integral form throughout its length and having an eye of greater internal diameter than the external diameter of the first eye in which the eye of the first named leaf is positioned, and the leaf in surface contact with the second named leaf having a flexible end portion in surface contact with the eye of the second leaf.

18. In a vehicle spring, a series of leaves 'of flat spring metal secured together in surface contact at a distance from their ends, the first leaf of the series having an end section longitudinally movable in respect to the body section thereof, and an eye at the outer end to receive a shackle bolt, the said outer end of the first leaf being of greater width than the Width of the body portion thereof, the second leaf of the series being of integral form throughout its length and having an ye encircling the eye of the end section of the first leaf and being'of less width at the eye than the width of the movable section of the first leaf at the eye, the arrangement providing for a limited lateral displacement of the spring as awhole relative to the shackle.

19, A leaf spring for vehicles comprising a series of flat spring metal leaves secured together in surface-contact at a distance from their ends, one of the leaves having a longitudinally movable end section provided with an eye at its outer end toreceive a'shackle bolt, and the leaf in contact therewith having an eye 'of greater internal di=-, ameter than the external diameter of the eye of the first named leaf and less in length than the length" of the eye of the first named leaf providin a mum-leaves spring n which the said longitudinally movable end section of the first named leaf is angularly dis'placeable in its plane.

:20. In a vehicle spring, a series of spring metal leaves secured together in surface contact one with the other at a'distance from their ends and having eyed portions at their ends-in concentric:

relation, the first leaf of the series having an end section limitedly movable longitudinally and having a terminal eye to receive a shackle bolt, a number of successive leaves having eyed portions in concentric relation with the eye of the first leaf, the external diameter of the eye of the first leaf being" less than the internal diameter of the second leaf and the eye of the third leaf being in surface contact with the eye of the second leaf and decreasing in thickness toward its terminal endproviding a flexible supportfor and in surface contact with the eye ofthe second leaf.

n. T. Dow. 

